Reading stand



Feb. 13,1923.

READING STAND.

FILED MAR.29, 1922.

Patentedf eb. 13, 1923..

uni-ire stares titans;

SARAH A. SEYMOUR, or TanIFFvrLLE, oonnnc'rrourf READING s'rann. I

Application filed March 29, 1922. semi No. 541,803.

T aZZ whom'it may 00mm:

.Be 1t known that I, SARAH A. SEYMOUR,

' a citizen of the United States, residing at and use the same.

Tariflville, in the county of Hartford, State of Connecticut, haveinvented certain new and useful Imp rovements in Reading. Stands 5 and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make This invention relates to new anduseful improvements in racks and stands, and particularly to racks andstands for use by bed patients.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich can be used by a person who is confined to bed, for sup-- andeasily taken down and packed in a small space, when not needed, or whenthe same is to be stored or shipped.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the stand.

Figure 2 is a horizontal transverse sectional view on the line 22 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail view showing the paperholding means of the stand, and the bars which support the same.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents a pairof standards each of which is provided with the diverging legs 11, atits lower end, and each leg being provided with a rubber covered knob12, to preventthe legs from slipping. Telescoped on eachof the standardsis a tubular post 13, and engaged around each post 13, adjacent itsupper end, is a collar, 14:, the same being adjustable along thepo'st bymeans of the screw 15. Also embracing the posts, adjacent their lowerends, are the similar collars 16, secured in adjusted positions alongthe posts by the screws 17. Each of the collars 14 and 16 is formed witha. laterally projecting stud 18, those of one post'extendingg.horizontally toward those of the other post, and -on'these studs are engaged the opposite ends ofthe upper and lower angular tubes; 19, itbeing readily seen, from the drawing, that the studsjare *an gular.These tubes 19 fit tightly on the studs, so that .they'will remain inadjusted Positions Without disp acement.

Hinged to' each of the tubes 19 are" the y fingers 20, those [of theupper tube being mounted'at'the upper edge; of the tube, while those ofthelower tube are mO111'1tCl 2lt the lower edgethereof. The inner faceof each of the fingers is coveredwith felt, rubber I or the like, 21, toprevent the book or paper from slipping. 1 v 1 i The paper orbookisplaced between. the

tubes'l9, so that the upper edge of the paper or book lies between theupper fingers 2O;

and the upper tube, while the lower edge of the paper'or book liesbetween the lower fingers and the lower tube. In this manner,

the paper or book is firmly held in place, I

the stand being placed on the bed, in front of the patient, so that hemay read without the necessity of holding the paper or book in hishands. It will, of course, be understood that the tubes 19 are adjustedto the height of the paper or book, so that the fingers will properlygrip the upper and lower edges thereof.

When the device is not in use, the tubes or posts 13 are slipped fromthe standards 10, and the tubes 19 slipped from the studs 18, thuspermitting the device to be stored in a very small space. The device maybe easily and quickly reassembled when needed. y l

The hinges which secure the fingers '20 to the transverse tubes 19 areprovided with. springs 21, so that they will. be strongly urged towardthe tubes, to firmly grip the upper and'lower edges of the paper orbook.

What is claimed is:

1. A reading stand comprising standards having diverging supporting feetformed integral therewith, tubes telescoped on the standards, upper andlower adjustable coly 'lars clamped on the tubes and having laterallyprojecting studs, tubes extending transversely of 'thestand and havingtheir ends engaged on the studs, and pivoted spring pressed. fingers onthe transverse tubes for, gripping engagement with the upper and loweredges of a book, or the'like.

2. A reading stand comprisingstandards escoped on the standards, collarsclamped on having diverging supporting feet, tubes teltubes respectivelyand extending toward each other for overlapping engagementwith thetubesand vhaving laterally projecting studs, tubesextending transverselyof the stand and having their ends engaged on the studs, and springpressed fingers securedto the top and botto'rn ofitlie top andb'otto'mthe upper and lower edges. of. the book. or the like.

,3. .A readingvjstand comprising standardshavingdiverging)supportingfeet, tubes teleseopedhon the standards.upperand lower collar-s adjustably clamped on the tubes, each :collar Ibeinggzprovided with alaterally projecting; stud upper and lower tubesextending transversely-of the stand and receiving the studs, and pivotedspring pressed fingers secured to the upper anddowerf transverse tubesandloverlapping the upper and lower edges 0% the bookrespectively.

4'. The-combination with a pair of supe ports having diverging legsformed integral'therewith', of a pairof-tubular posts telescoping thesupports, upper and lower col- "lars'clamped on the tubes and beingadjustable-toward and awayrdroni each vother, said collars beingprovided with laterally projectingstuds, upper and lower tubes extendingtransverselyof the supports and having their ends engaged" on the studs,spring pressed fingers secured uponthe upper and lower transversetubesand extending towards each other for overlapping engagement with theupper andlower edges of the book.

In testimony Wl1ereof,'I aifiX my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

SARAH A; SEYMQUR.

Witnesses v ROBERT A; ABRAMS, LEWIS H. HODGE.

